Spring Onion White Lisbon

Starting Seeds in Trays 

Steps: 

1.Seed Trays: Use modular trays or small pots with a fine seed raising mix (not garden soil). 

2. Sowing: Plant 2–3 seeds per cell, 6mm deep. Lightly cover with mix. 

3. Germination: Keep moist and warm (18–25°C). Seeds sprout in 7–14 days. Use a heat mat if needed. 

4. Light: Place under grow lights or in a sunny window (12+ hours daily). Rotate trays to prevent leggy seedlings. 

5. Thinning: Once seedlings are 5cm tall, snip weaker ones, leaving 1 strong plant per cell. 

6. Hardening Off: 1–2 weeks before transplanting, gradually expose seedlings to outdoor conditions (start with 1 hour daily). 

7. Transplanting: When seedlings have 3–4 leaves (8–10 weeks old), plant 10–15cm apart in prepared beds. 

Pros: 

• Extends growing season in cooler zones. 
• Protects seedlings from pests/weather early on. 

Cons: 

• Requires more effort and equipment (lights, trays). 
• Risk of transplant shock if not hardened properly. 

Direct Sowing 

Steps: 

1. Soil Prep: Loosen soil to 30cm depth. Mix in compost or aged manure. Remove weeds. 

2. Sowing: 

• Create shallow furrows 1cm deep. 
• Sow seeds 2–3cm apart, then cover lightly with soil. 
• Water gently to avoid dislodging seeds. 

3. Spacing: Thin seedlings to 10–15cm apart when 5–8cm tall (use thinnings as green onions). 

4. Mulching: Apply straw or sugar cane mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 

Pros: 

• Less labour intensive. 
• Avoids transplant shock. 

Cons: 

• Slower growth in cool soil. 
• Vulnerable to pests (e.g., slugs, birds) and weather extremes. 

Key Tips for Both Methods 

 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings establish. Reduce watering as bulbs form to prevent rot. 

 Fertilising: Apply a nitrogen rich fertilizer (e.g., fish emulsion) every 2–3 weeks until bulbs swell, then switch to low nitrogen feed. 

 Pest Control: 

• Cover seedlings with insect mesh to deter onion flies. 
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants for grub prevention. 

 Thinning: Crucial for bulb development—crowded onions stay small. 

 Common Mistakes 

1. Overcrowding: Leads to competition for nutrients and stunted bulbs. 

2. Poor Drainage: Onions rot in waterlogged soil—ensure raised beds in wet climates. 

3. Late Transplanting: Seedlings older than 10 weeks struggle to adapt. 

Hacks 

 Tray Starter Hack:

• Trim seedling tops to 10cm tall if they become leggy. This strengthens stems. 

 Direct Sow Hack:

• Mix radish seeds with onion seeds—radishes mark rows and break soil crust for onion sprouts. 

Harvest 

 When:

• Tops yellow and fall over for full size onion. Lift bulbs gently. 
• Before bulb starts to swell for spring onions

 Curing:

• Dry in a shaded, ventilated area for 2–3 weeks. Store in mesh bags in cool (0–4°C), dark conditions. 

 Companion Planting Guide 

Plant With: 

• Carrots: Deter each other’s pests (onion/carrot flies). 
• Brassicas (cabbage, kale): Repel cabbage worms. 
• Tomatoes/Capsicums: Onions deter aphids and beetles. 
• Chamomile: Enhances onion flavour. 
• Marigolds: Suppress nematodes and beetles. 

Avoid: 

• Legumes (peas, beans): Compete for nutrients. 
• Asparagus: Inhibits growth. 
• Other alliums (garlic, leeks): Attract shared pests like onion maggots. 

 Seed Saving Guide 

1. Select Bulbs: Save seeds from large, disease free onions. 

2. Overwinter: Replant best bulbs in spring; onions flower in their second year. 

3. Isolate Varieties: Prevent crosspollination by spacing varieties 1 – 2km apart or bagging flower heads. 

4. Harvest Seeds: Let flower heads dry on plants. Shake seeds into a container and remove chaff. 

5. Storage: Keep in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Seeds remain viable 1–2 years. 

Troubleshooting 

 Pests: Use neem oil for thrips or onion maggots. Interplant marigolds for nematode control. 

 Diseases: Rotate crops yearly to prevent fungal issues (e.g., downy mildew). Avoid overwatering. 

 Weeds: Mulch with straw or plant quick growing greens (lettuce, rocket) as living mulch. 

Growing Spring Onions

Site Selection and Soil Preparation

Sunlight: 

• Spring onions prefer at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, especially during cooler months.
• In extremely hot regions, some afternoon shade might be beneficial, particularly during the peak summer heat.

Soil: 

• Well-drained, fertile soil is essential. Amend heavy clay soils with copious amounts of compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and aeration.
• Sandy soils may require more frequent watering to maintain moisture.
• A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal.

Soil Preparation: 

• Before planting, till the soil to a depth of approximately 20cm, removing any weeds or rocks.
• Incorporate well-rotted compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil and improve its structure.

Planting Method

Sowing Time: 

• Sow seeds directly into the garden bed in autumn for a winter and spring harvest or spring for a summer and autumn harvest.
• Adjust timing based on your local climate. See product description.

Sowing Depth & Spacing:

• Sow seeds directly into your garden about 3 mm deep and 3 cm apart.
• Thin seedlings to 5 cm apart once they have a few true leaves to prevent overcrowding and promote better growth.

Ongoing Care

Watering: 

• Consistent moisture is crucial, particularly during germination and establishment.
• Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth and avoid surface waterlogging.
• Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilising: 

• Spring onions are relatively low-maintenance, but a light application of balanced, slow-release fertiliser at planting or during active growth can boost production.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, as this can promote excessive leafy growth at the expense of bulb development.

Weed Control: 

• Regularly weed around your spring onions to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
• Mulching helps suppress weed growth.

Pest & Disease Management: 

• Monitor plants for pests like onion flies and aphids.
• Natural pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects (ladybugs) or using insecticidal soap, are recommended over harsh chemicals.

Harvesting

Leaf Harvesting: 

• Begin harvesting leaves when they reach a desirable length, typically 6-8 weeks after sowing (depending on the variety).
• Cut the leaves from the base, leaving the roots intact for continued growth. This allows for multiple harvests from a single plant.

Bulb Harvesting: 

• For a full bulb harvest, pull the entire plant from the ground when the bulbs reach a desirable size.

Companion Planting

Beneficial Companions:

• Carrots: Deters onion flies and benefits from the onion’s pest-repelling properties.
• Lettuce/Spinach: Tolerates partial shade from spring onions and shares resources.
• Rosemary: Repels many common garden pests.
• Chamomile: Can help improve the soil.

Plants to Avoid:

• Beans can sometimes inhibit onion growth.

Regional Considerations

Tropical/Subtropical Regions:

• Plant in the cooler months (autumn and winter) to avoid heat stress. Provide adequate shade during the hottest part of the day.

Temperate Regions: 

• More flexibility in planting times. Autumn and spring sowings are ideal.

Arid Regions: 

• Water conservation techniques are crucial. Mulching and drip irrigation are recommended.

Troubleshooting:

Yellowing Leaves: 

• May indicate nutrient deficiencies (particularly nitrogen), overwatering, or pest infestation.

Poor Growth: 

• Check for pests, diseases, soil compaction, or nutrient deficiencies.

Bolting (Flowering):

•  Occurs under stress conditions (heat, drought, overcrowding).
• Harvest immediately.